Deadline to get health care without a penalty less than a week away

BATON ROUGE - The open enrollment period for health insurance under the affordable care act ends on February 15th. Brian Keller from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana stopped by 2une In this morning to explain what happens if you miss that deadline.

"You may be out of luck and you're going to pay some tax penalties.," he told News 2's John Pastorek. "People this year are going to file taxes, and if they didn't have insurance last year, they're finding out from their accountant that they owe a penalty."

If you do not have insurance for 2015, the penalty will be even greater when you file taxes next year. Keller says Blue Cross Blue Shield has some ways to make enrolling easy.

"Whichever means you're most comfortable with you can do it," he explains. "You can do it online, in-person or via the phone. You can get help potentially paying for your premiums. You can get your insurance in one-day's turnaround time, but you have to do it by this Sunday.